=>Beginning History
Ian Stuart Donaldson, formerly of The Rolling Stones cover band Tumbling Dice, formed Skrewdriver after seeing the Sex Pistols in Manchester. Skrewdriver at first had a punk appearance, but they changed their image into a skinhead look in 1977. They also temporarily had a rocker/biker look, around the time they released the EP Built Up Knocked Down. In 1978, Donaldson moved to Salford, where he recruited guitarist Glenn Jones and drummer Martin Smith. This lineup toured extensively, but many venues were reluctant to book the band because of their reputation as a violent skinhead band attracting audience fights.
Performing largely for a skinhead fan-base, the first versions of the band released one album and two singles on the Chiswick label. This version of the band split up in January 1979 after a concert in Warrington, but Donaldson resurrected the name Skrewdriver in 1982 using new musicians. Several past individuals associated with the group, many of them politically left-wing or centrist, have condemned the latter third position incarnation.
=>Band Musicians And More History
As mentioned, Skrewdriver inherited its first line-up from itโs predecessor, the band Tumbling Dice, which Donaldson had formed in 1975. They felt influenced by contemporary hard rock as well as seminal punk contemporaries such as the Ramones and The Clash. They were Ian Stuart Donaldson, Kev McKay, John Grinton and Phil Walmsley. When the band changed from punk to skinhead, Walmsley bowed out and was substituted with skinhead Ron Hartley. The 1977 release All Skrewed Up managed to give the group considerable underground success, and it's been regarded since as an early punk classic. However, by 1978, the band disbanded.
Both moving to Salfordโs Cheetham Hill, McKay and Donaldson reformed the band in 1979 with local Manchester talents Glenn Jones and Martin Smith. Skrewdriver became a regular act at the Mayflower club in Belle Vue and toured local gig venues around Greater Manchester. The version of the band was to be short-lived and, after an ill-fated concert in Warrington in 1980, the band fell apart again.
This time, Donaldson left all the others behind and moved on his own down to London. By 1981, Skrewdriver had reformed for the 3rd time, still with Ian Stuart Donaldson of course. The new additions were Mark Neeson, Mark French and Geoff Williams. French and Williams had previously played with The Elite.
It was this line-up that released the 12โ EP 'Back With A Bang' on Last Resort Records in 1982. External pressure on the band took its toll, and, by 1984, all three had left the band. Donaldson recruited Mark Sutherland, Adam Douglas, and Murray Holmes. Holmes, an Australian, had previously played with the band Quick And The Dead. Skrewdriver soon released their LP Invasion on the newly-signed West German label Rock-o-Rama Records, which would stay faithful to the band until the tragic end. The line-up was strengthened with Steve Roda coming in the following year.
Touring extensively once again, by 1987 the line-up is described on artwork as Ian Stuart (Donaldson), Mark Sutherland, Martin Cross, Ross McGarry, Merv Shields, and John Burnley who was the brother of No Remorseโs Paul Burnley. Steve Calladine, better known as Stigger, joined Skrewdriver in late 1987. Donaldson also launched a solo career as Ian Stuart with the release of solo material backed by a group known as 'Strikeforce', which essentially was the remaining band. Skrewdriver as a band continued, however, in parallel with Donaldsonโs solo career.
In 1990, the sprawling line-up was added to with John Hickson. Over the 80s, the group released a variety of albums, many of them striking a chord with disillusioned British youths unhappy with both Thatcherism and the Labour alternative, much to the alarm of the mainstream press. Skrewdriver concerts were, although planned in advance, highly secretive, and Donaldson faced many attempts on his life. Releases at this time prominently included the albums Boots & Braces, Blood & Honour, and Hail The New Dawn.
On the 24th of September 1993, Ian Stuart Donaldson died from the injuries sustained in a car-crash the previous evening and with him the band Skrewdriver ceased. Although subject to a large variety of conspiracy theories, most fans have agreed that the death was a surprising, sudden accident. Since then, countless benefit and remembrance gigs has been played in his and the bandโs honour, with virtually every rock against communism band worth their salt, producing a Skrewdriver cover.
=>Labels
During their 17-year career, Skrewdriver were signed by five labels:
1977 - Chiswick Records
1979 - TJM Manchester
1982 - Last Resort Sounds
1982 - White Noise Records
1984 - Rock-O-Rama Records
(This list does not include compilations and spin-off work)
=>Members List
(Initial Band)
Ian Stuart Donaldson - Vocals & Guitar
Phil Walmsley - Guitar
Ron Hartley - Guitar
Kev McKay - Bass
John "Grinny" Grinton - Drums
(Other Members)
Glenn Jones
Martin Cross
Dave Cording
Bradley Napier
Mark French
Geoff Williams
Mark Neeson
Joseph Smith
Adam Douglas
Merv Shields
Murray Holmes
Dave Wane
Paul Swain
Stiv "Iena" Roda
Stigger
John Burnley
Colin Smith
Mushy
Mike French
Mark Radcliffe
Andrew Skinner
Ford Freemantle
Forty Six Years
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nearly five decades through a veil of tears
A man whose courage, it was unsurpassed
No surrender until the very last
-
(chorus)
Forty six years, forty six years
Forty six years, he stayed true to his faith
They tried to break him with their corrupt ways
Offered freedom until the end of his days
They wanted him to denounce the Fuhrer
But his devotion was always true
-
And now he's dead, Rudolph Hess is free
He's paid the price for his loyalty
A man who left a son and a wife
We won't forget his sacrifice
The song "Forty Six Years" by Skrewdriver is an ode to Rudolph Hess, a prominent Nazi figure who remained loyal to his beliefs even in the face of adversity. The lyrics talk about how Hess remained true to his beliefs for forty-six years, despite being offered freedom and a chance to denounce his beliefs. The song also mentions how Hess paid the ultimate price for his loyalty, leaving behind a family that he loved and cherished.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the theme of loyalty that runs throughout the lyrics. The phrase "forty-six years" is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the length of time that Hess remained true to his beliefs. Through the lyrics, Skrewdriver portrays Hess as a man of great courage who was unyielding in his devotion to his cause.
The second verse of the song talks about how Hess was tempted with the offer of freedom in exchange for denouncing the Fuhrer. However, despite the allure of freedom, Hess remained true to his beliefs and refused to betray his cause.
Overall, the song is a tribute to Rudolph Hess and his unwavering loyalty to his beliefs. Through the lyrics, Skrewdriver portrays Hess as a man of great courage and conviction who paid the ultimate price for his beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
Eighty-seven was his final year
The man being referred to died at the age of 87
Nearly five decades through a veil of tears
The man had been through difficulties for nearly 50 years of his life
A man whose courage, it was unsurpassed
The man was known for his exceptional bravery
No surrender until the very last
The man did not give up until the end
Forty six years, forty six years / Forty six years, he stayed true to his faith
The man remained loyal to his beliefs for 46 years
They tried to break him with their corrupt ways
People tried to make him change his ways using immoral methods
Offered freedom until the end of his days
They offered him freedom for the remainder of his life
They wanted him to denounce the Fuhrer
They wanted him to renounce the leader of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler
But his devotion was always true
Despite the offers made to him, his loyalty remained unshaken
And now he's dead, Rudolph Hess is free
The man being referred to has passed on, while someone named Rudolph Hess has been released from prison
He's paid the price for his loyalty
The man paid a heavy price for remaining dedicated to his beliefs
A man who left a son and a wife
The man had a family
We won't forget his sacrifice
People will always remember the man's sacrifice
Contributed by Gabriella P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TheOne-zn5ik
This song is more relevant today than ever.
@stefansonic
that's why i posted it
@marcdonnate8721
Sure !
@TheRush1966
30 years to the day this man passed as i type this. I.S.D R.I.P. Still marching with us
@MrBOROLOYAL
I.S.D.Never forgotten ๐ฌ๐ง
@bantot8
I can relate living in san diego 30 min to border. We are over run.
@riotsquadgaming7460
i grew up out that way so i get it
@jamesandrewmudd2748
REST IN PEACE IAN STUART DONALDSON, SKREWDRIVER ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ๐๐๐
@dustybin552
Love it takes me back to the good times. Invasion how apt for todays dinghy's
@ProletarianNuklearWarrior
Cry about it